Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Pics: Archana R Nayak

Mangaluru, Nov 13: While people are running helter-skelter and complaining about the inconvenience caused to them by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's sudden announcement of demonetizing the high currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000, there are people in our own Mangaluru who are joining hands to ease the process and thereby doing their bit for the nation by way of selfless service.

In a Facebook post, Falnir resident Archana Nayak has shared her experience of meeting a group from the Sikh community of Mangaluru who are cooking and serving free food at the Central railway station, at a time when restaurants were one of the first in the city to put up 'We don't accept Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes' signs.

Says Archana in her post: "Actions speak louder than words and here it is!! The Sikh Association in Mangalore led by Sri Balwinder Singh Ji doing all they can to make sure people at Railway Station don't go hungry because of difficulty with currency. The team as you see here is consistently cooking food that is served as Langaar at Mangalore Central Railway Station. Balwinder ji told us, how they themselves are in short of cash but they managed ingredients, plates etc by cashless transactions."

But the noble gesture by the Sikh Association met with a roadblock when the authorities stopped them despite having the necessary permission.

"However, when we reached the station we were told how the authorities there obstructed their work despite they having obtained required permissions, saying that railway canteen would lose business. Nevertheless, this doesn't stop this team. The cooking is still going on. Salute!!" the post states.

"When we met Mr Balwinder at the station, we also got to know he lives in the next building to ours at Falnir, where we headed to see these enthusiastic people cooking. What a small world! It's never too far if we want to make a difference.

"The hands that want to work have nothing to stop them. What a fine example," says Archana in her post.

Speaking to daijiworld, Archana said, "I saw a post this morning by my Facebook friend and fellow Mangalurean Dr Shaila Shenoy from Kadri saying they have put up a 'langar' (free kitchen among Sikhs) at the railway station. I wanted to go and do my bit. So I went there with some rice as my contribution.

"The last few days we have seen people cribbing about things, barely wanting to do anything or find out anything. I see a larger picture like these Sikh people who believe in being proactive and not just cynical," said Archana, who strongly believes in the concept of coming together for nation building.

Indeed, if we do our bit to help each other out at times like these, the nation would not only prosper but grow stronger. Hats off to the Sikh community of Mangaluru!